Borderlands 3 has a lot that separates it from the previous games — if you know where to look. One such new feature is the the ability to equip any Action Skill right from the start of the game. With robot Beastmaster FL4K, that means you’ll have access to all of their animal companions right off the bat. If you’re looking for a character that can cast buffs, summon powerful friends, and confuse your enemies, then FL4K is right for you.

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FL4K is a wandering robot defined by their ability to summon animal companions. That puts them in the tradition of characters like the original Borderlands‘s Mordecai, though they have much more flexibility than our old Hunter friend. Each of FL4K’s three skill trees give them access to both an Action Skill and a companion. When active, each animal will give FL4K a different buff. FL4K can also issue an Attack Command to have them engage the enemy directly, in addition to using Action Skills to synergize with their pets. This is a character with a lot of flexibility.

Before we start, though, you should also know how skill trees break down in Borderlands 3. And they work a lot like in the previous two games! You have three total trees to choose from per character class. You then pump skill points into each ability, improving them as you go, an unlocking further tiers along the tree. Generally speaking, the higher the tier, the flashier the ability. So it pays to see what each tree has going for it further down the line!

Stalker Skill Tree

Fade Away (Action Skill)

FL4K cloaks, turning invisible. FL4K can fire 3 shots while cloaked, and each shot is automatically a Critical Hit. While cloaked, FL4K has increased Movement Speed and Health Regeneration.

Fade Away Critical Hit Damage: +200%

Cloaked Movement Speed: +25%

Health Regeneration: +3% of Max Health/sec

Cooldown: 45 seconds

Skill Duration: 15 seconds

Jabber Sidekick (Pet)

FL4K is joined by a loyal Jabber companion, armed with a Pistol. While accompanied by the Jabber, FL4K’s Movement Speed is increased. Hold the action skill button to issue an Attack Command, which will cause the Jabber to throw a Radiation Barrel at enemies.

Movement Speed: +5.0%

Action Skill and Pet Augments

Guerrillas in the Mist (Tier 2)

Fade Away no longer ends after FL4K attacks, at the cost of Critical Hit Damage and Fade Away duration being reduced.

Duration: 8 seconds

Critical Hit Damage: +50.0%

Not my Circus (Tier 3)

After Fade Away ends, FL4K’s pet will Taunt, drawing the attention of all enemies in a huge radius. For a few seconds after Taunting, the pet gains powerful Damage Reduction.

Pet Taunt Duration: 6 seconds

Pet Damage Reduction: +80%

Beefcake Jabber (Tier 3)

FL4K’s Jabber evolves into a Beefcake, discarding its pistol and equipping a Shotgun. While accompanied by the Beefcake, FL4K gains increased Movement Speed and Maximum Health. When FL4K issues an Attack Command, the Beefcake will summon a melee weapon to deliver a powerful attack that knocks enemies back.

Movement Speed: +5.0%

Max Health: +10.0%

Until You Are Dead (Tier 4)

The Health Regeneration and Movement Speed of Fade Away persists for a short time after the skill has ended. Post Cloak Duration: 10 seconds

Gunslinger Jabber (Tier 4)

FL4K’s Jabber upgrades his gear and equips an SMG. While accompanied by the Gunslinger, FL4K gains increased Movement Speed and Critical Hit Damage. When FL4K issues an Attack Command, the Gunslinger equips a Rocket Launcher to attack the target.

Hunter Skill Tree

FL4K is joined by a loyal Spiderant companion, which will cause FL4K to constantly regenerate health. Hold the action skill button to issue an Attack Command, which will cause the Spiderant to charge into enemies. Health Regeneration: +1% of Max Health/sec

Action Skill Augments

Rakk Open a Cold One (Tier 2)

Converts FL4K’s Rakk to Cryo damage.

Falconer’s Feast (Tier 3)

When FL4K’s Rakk damage an enemy, a portion of FL4K’s health is restored. Health Returned: 7% of Max Health

Spiderant Scorcher (Tier 3)

FL4K’s Spiderant evolves into a Scorcher, occasionally dealing Incendiary Damage to all enemies nearby. While accompanied by the Scorcher, FL4K constantly regenerates health and gains Elemental Resistance. When FL4K issues an Attack Command, the Scorcher will charge enemies.

Health Regeneration: +1% of Max Health/sec

Elemental Damage: +10.0%

Flock ‘n Load (Tier 4)

FL4K sends forward +2 additional Rakk.

Spiderant Countess (Tier 4)

FL4K’s Spiderant evolves into a Countess, which will cause FL4K to constantly regenerate health and gain Damage Reduction. When FL4K issues an Attack Command, the Countess will burrow underground and then emerge dealing Corrosive Damage in an area.

Tier 6

Megavore

FL4K gains a chance to score a Critical Hit with weapons against any part of enemies. Critical Hit Chance: +20%

Master Skill Tree

Gamma Burst (Action Skill)

FL4K creates a Rift at a target location, teleporting their pet through the Rift and dealing Radiation Damage to nearby enemies. Additionally, FL4K’s pet becomes irradiated, growing in size and dealing bonus Radiation Damage when it attacks. Using Gamma Burst while FL4K’s Pet is downed or dead will revive the pet at the targeted location with 30% of its health, but will double Action Skill Cooldown Time.

Skill Duration: 20 seconds

Cooldown: 30 seconds

Damage: 56

Guard Skag (Pet)

FL4K is joined by a loyal Skag companion, which will increase FL4K’s Damage. Hold the action skill button to issue an Attack Command, which will cause the Skag to vomit acid onto enemies.

Action Skill Augments

Atomic Aroma (Tier 2)

While Gamma Burst is active, FL4K’s pet is surrounded by a Radiation Aura, constantly damaging all nearby enemies. Radiation Damage: 4 per second

Empathic Rage (Tier 3)

For the duration of Gamma Burst, Damage dealt by FL4K is increased.

Great Horned Skag (Tier 3)

FL4K’s Skag evolves into a larger, Great Horned Skag which will increase FL4K’s Damage and Gun Damage. When FL4K issues an Attack Command, the Great Horned Skag will charge at enemies and knock them into the air.

Damage: 5

Gun Damage: +10%

Endurance (Tier 4)

When FL4K or FL4K’s Pet kills an enemy while Gamma Burst is active, the duration of Gamma Burst is extended and pet damage is increased. These effects can stack up to 5 times.

Skill Duration: +3 seconds per kill

Pet Damage: +10% per kill

Eridian Skag (Tier 4)

FL4K’s Skag evolves into an Eridian Skag, which will increase FL4K’s Damage and Fire Rate. When FL4K issues an Attack Command, their Eridian Skag pulls nearby enemies in by generating a Singularity.

Damage: 5

Fire Rate: +5%

Burst Aid (Tier 5)

After using Gamma Burst, the Rift remains for the duration of the skill. While standing near the Rift, FL4K and their allies rapidly Regenerate Health. Health Regeneration: +20% of Max Health/sec

Tier 2

Whenever FL4K’s Pet deals damage, FL4K regenerates health for a few seconds. Whenever FL4K deals damage to an enemy, their Pet’s health is restored for a portion of the damage dealt.

Converts +1.0% of Damage Dealt into Pet Health

Health Regeneration: +0.5% of Max Health/sec

He Bites!

When FL4K’s pet takes damage, the pet returns some of that damage to the attacker. Damage Reflected: +5%

Frenzy

Hunter Skill. When FL4K’s pet deals damage, FL4K and their pet gain a stack of Frenzy. Each stack of Frenzy increases Damage. The stacks decay after a few seconds.

Damage: +0.8% per stack

Max Frenzy Stacks: 10

Tier 3

Psycho Head on a Stick

Hunter Kill Skill. Whenever FL4K kills an enemy, their Pet gains increased Movement Speed and Damage for a few seconds.

Pet Movement Speed: +12%

Pet Damage: +10%

Psycho Head On A Stick Duration: 8 seconds

Hive Mind

When FL4K takes damage, a portion of all damage they take is shared to their pet instead. Damage Shared: 5%

Tier 4

Barbaric Yawp

Increases the power of Pet Bonuses granted to FL4K. Pet Bonuses: +20%

Mutated Defenses

When FL4K’s pet is at low health, it gains Damage Reduction and regenerates health. This skill has a long cooldown.

Damage Reduction: +30%

Health Regeneration: +40% of Max Pet Health

Tier 5

Pack Tactics

All Damage dealt by FL4K and their Pet is increased. Additionally, the Maximum Health of both FL4K and their Pet is increased.

Pet and FL4K Damage: +5%

Pet and FL4K Maximum Health: +5%

Shared Spirit

While FL4K is at low health, a portion of all damage they take is shared to their pet instead. Damage Shared: 50%

Tier 6

Dominance

Melee Override Skill. FL4K establishes dominance over an enemy, turning it into an ally for a short time. If the enemy is a Beast, the duration is doubled. While under the effects of Dominance, the target constantly loses health until it dies or the effect ends. Only one enemy can be dominated at a time. An enemy can only be dominated once.